Brian Luo captured the World Series of Poker Circuit Main Event title at Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City on Aug. 24, earning $189,145 and his second career WSOP Circuit ring.
The Philadelphia native, who now lives in Madison, Wisconsin, outlasted a field of 698 entries in the $1,700 No-Limit Hold’em Main Event. The tournament generated a prize pool of $964,164.
The victory marked the largest WSOP cash of Luo’s career. He won his first Circuit ring during an online Super Circuit event in 2022, collecting $4,667.
Luo defeated Salvatore Evola in heads-up play to secure the Atlantic City championship. Evola received $126,067 for second place, while Yuriy Kudrynskyy earned $87,187 for finishing third.
The Main Event concluded an 18-tournament series at Harrah’s, where several other players delivered notable performances.
Joe McKeehen, the 2015 WSOP Main Event champion, won two tournaments during the series. He earned $37,439 in the $1,100 No-Limit Hold’em event and $39,929 in the $2,200 No-Limit Hold’em High Roller, collecting $77,368 in combined first-place prize money.
The victories raised McKeehen’s career total to six WSOP Circuit rings. He also holds three WSOP bracelets.
New Jersey player Stephano Kim won the $500 No-Limit Hold’em Mini Main Event and its $71,546 top prize. The victory earned Kim his first WSOP Circuit ring and represented the second-largest first-place payout of the Atlantic City series.
Other champions included Giuseppe Lomuscio, who earned $47,227 in the $400 No-Limit Hold’em Monster Stack; Richard Orr, who collected $28,644 in the $400 No-Limit Hold’em 40/40/40 event; and Thomas Bigosinski, who received $24,005 for winning the $400 Seniors Event.
Each 2026 WSOP Circuit ring winner also received a $5,000 package to attend WSOP Paradise in the Bahamas. The package includes accommodations and entry into the 2026 WSOP Circuit Championship Mystery Bounty tournament.
The promotion gives Circuit winners an opportunity to compete on an international stage for another major title. In 2025, qualifier Mark Darner won the $2,750 WSOP Circuit Championship No-Limit Hold’em Mystery Bounty at WSOP Paradise. He earned his second WSOP bracelet and the tournament’s $350,000 first-place prize.
Main Event final table results
- Brian Luo — $189,145
- Salvatore Evola — $126,067
- Yuriy Kudrynskyy — $87,187
- Brian Lombardi — $61,409
- Michael Bohmerwald — $44,065
- Patrick Martorella — $32,224
- Raymund Uy — $24,025
- Michael Lavin — $18,268
- Jake Dynes — $14,172
The Atlantic City series included winners across several poker formats. Ilya Dyment won the $400 Limit Big O tournament, while Harry Pozefsky prevailed in the $600 Pot-Limit Omaha event. Sarah Wasch won the $400 Ladies Event.
David Semless opened the series by winning the $400 No-Limit Hold’em Double Stack Opener. Anthony Farelli closed it with a victory in the $400 No-Limit Hold’em Double Stack Closer.
Luo and the other Atlantic City champions will now have the chance to carry their success to the Bahamas and compete against fellow Circuit winners at WSOP Paradise.
